How to Tell If Your Novel Idea is a Good Idea

Writers often ask if their idea for a novel is good enough or strong enough. In this video I wanted to go over some misconceptions about novel ideas and what it takes to get published.

[LuckyHodgepodge]

I hate when high concept novels fail from bad writing. When I can tell a novel could be so good but the wrong writer thought of it, it hurts my little story loving heart.

[bytheBrooke]

There are so many rewashed stories out there that can turn a familiar premise into a powerful and original idea. It's all due to how the author constructs and carries the story.

[cheezemonkeyeater]

I've said this many times: ideas are worthless. Even children have ideas - and frequently, children have very good ideas. Art is found in the *execution* of the idea.

[mayhemshrapnel]

"A group of children are teleported into a fantasy world."

*cough* nearly all new anime *cough"

[LungsOutJem]

I don't know if it's a good idea, but it certainly

Novel.

[LaMortesAbyss]

I know it's an impossible request, but never stop doing these. Slowly but surely they help me grow the confidence I need to return to my writing. Depression is cruel when one has a story to build.

[liwest]

It's all in how you execute it, I think.

[Hannahacarmona]

This plot verses premise is something I never thought of and so helpful!!

[monki]

"Writing a children's book about the sexual escapades of a 20-year-old is a bad idea."
I don't know, *50 Shades of Grey* seems to have done pretty well.

[PoopyBarfy]

00:31 Oh no... Back to the drawing board.

[samsheeee]

The idea for Hunger Games had already been done by Battle Royale but they're completely different stories so yeah no idea is original just depends on the execution

[cameronsmith]

I really enjoy your clear communication. So many editors or literary agents talk in such convoluted terms about what they want to see that it could mean a lot of different things. Keep it up! :)

[Hanariel]

"the hunger games" is far from original.
In Japanese media, specially anime and manga, this type of story is so well established for years, that turned into its own genre, "survival game"

[EllenBrock]

Hey guys! I finally solved the issue with the auto-focus. Hooray! Unfortunately, I had some trouble with shots being out of focus. I tried to cut out those shots as much as possible but that also resulted in some choppiness in the video. Thanks for bearing with me as I work out the technical issues.

In this video I really wanted to go over some misconceptions about the importance of the seed idea/premise of the novel. Publication is about so much more than an original or unoriginal idea. Execution of the idea is so important! I hope you found it helpful. Thanks!

[papo]

A good concept can't carry bad story structure. A good writer could write an engaging story about 2 kids playing in a park, or a guy commuting in rush hour to work.

Storytelling at its heart is making the ordinary sound extraordinary.

[dancbj-animatedreviews]

"Which plot points am I excited about?" - Could be the magic phrase that helps you find out if your novel PLOT is a good one!

[richardhawkins]

When I saw you title I thought, "Oh no!" But you addressed it, of course! I have read new writers books where they feel they have to shoe horn in as many unique ideas as they can. But I liken it to all art, start simple, and do simple well. Some of the best stories have been the simplest ones that have already been done to death stories, but very well crafted.

Good to see you back by the way!

[wolfmatic]

This reminds me of the story of the creation of Codex Alrera. Jim Butcher was arguing about ideas online and said that it was a good writer who made a good book, not a good idea. He wrote the first codex Alrera to prove the point. The concept was created by the writer he was arguing with. Pokémon plus the lost Roman legion.

[rociomiranda]

As a reader, there are premises I'm drawn to like a magnet, no matter how many times I see them. For example, a Beauty and the Beast set up. There are thousands of novels out there that use this idea, from Jane Eyre to Phantom of the Opera to Notre Dame de Paris to War and Peace. I never get tired of it. It's all in the execution and the elements around the premise that set it up.

[Celise]

I'm not even writing a book but I love watching your videos from a reader's perspective.